During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? Using the clock on the wall, determine when your CT establishes order and begins class. How did she/he start their lesson? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson?
Observations:
When Observing my Cooperating Teacher at Chariho High School, I noticed how she begins her classes. As the students walk into the room she is usually preparing for class by getting materials ready, writing on the bored, or looking up information that she may need. Occasionally she walked outside of the room to stand by the door as students entered the room. A very basic plan for the day is written on the bored for the students to see as they walk into the room. About five minutes after the bell rings for class to start, the teacher instructs students to put their notebooks on their desk and clean everything else off. At this time there is, without fail, atleast one student that needs to go to their locker to get something. Once this student returns, the teacher dives into the notes for the day, or collects homework if there was any. As she starts the notes, she briefly reviews some of the material they previously went over that they need to remember for today's lesson.
Reflections:
During my Cooperating Teacher's planning period, I asked her if she follows lesson plans still. She said that she has a binder of worksheets and resources, but feels that she doesn't need a full lesson plan anymore at this point in her career. I think it is very good that she outlines the day on the bored and reviews material before moving forward, but I would like to see her give a purpose to the lesson. The students are very unengaged and unconnected to the material. They go through the motions and do what they are supposed to, but as I help them in their assignments for the day, they don't seem to know what they're doing or why they are doing it. This makes me think about what I will face when I start to take over the class. My teaching styles are very different from my cooperating teacher, and I hope they don't clash in a negative manner.
Observations:
When Observing my Cooperating Teacher at Chariho High School, I noticed how she begins her classes. As the students walk into the room she is usually preparing for class by getting materials ready, writing on the bored, or looking up information that she may need. Occasionally she walked outside of the room to stand by the door as students entered the room. A very basic plan for the day is written on the bored for the students to see as they walk into the room. About five minutes after the bell rings for class to start, the teacher instructs students to put their notebooks on their desk and clean everything else off. At this time there is, without fail, atleast one student that needs to go to their locker to get something. Once this student returns, the teacher dives into the notes for the day, or collects homework if there was any. As she starts the notes, she briefly reviews some of the material they previously went over that they need to remember for today's lesson.
Reflections:
During my Cooperating Teacher's planning period, I asked her if she follows lesson plans still. She said that she has a binder of worksheets and resources, but feels that she doesn't need a full lesson plan anymore at this point in her career. I think it is very good that she outlines the day on the bored and reviews material before moving forward, but I would like to see her give a purpose to the lesson. The students are very unengaged and unconnected to the material. They go through the motions and do what they are supposed to, but as I help them in their assignments for the day, they don't seem to know what they're doing or why they are doing it. This makes me think about what I will face when I start to take over the class. My teaching styles are very different from my cooperating teacher, and I hope they don't clash in a negative manner.